Tag Archives: testing

Earlier this year, Google decided to discontinue the social streaming media player known as the Nexus Q. However, a new Google media player gadget has been spotted in FCC testing documents with the product name H840. The product code is the H2G2-42, which is a play on the The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

The wireless report confirms that the device “functions as a media player.” Some of the specs of the device includes a 2.4GHz WiFi b/g/n connectivity. The FCC report does not contain test photos so we do not know what the device looks like. It is likely that the H840 will support Google Play Music All Access and will have similar functionality as a Sonos media player that can be connected to external speakers.

The Google H840 will likely have a much more friendly user interface than the Nexus Q with more features. The Nexus Q was essentially a way to play YouTube videos, music, and other content to a TV using Android-powered phones and tablets. Essentially, the Nexus Q was Google’s own Apple TV. Earlier this month, Google Play stopped supporting the Nexus Q after the All Access subscription music services was integrated into the marketplace. Another disadvantage of the Google Nexus Q is that it was manufactured in the U.S., causing it to have a high price. The Apple TV retails for around $99 currently and the Nexus Q was priced at $299 when it was launched.

Another reason why the Nexus Q had low demand is because it was linked exclusively to Google Play content. There were no options to connect to Netflix, Hulu Plus, or Amazon Instant Video. This is why I suspect that the upcoming H840 will have options to connect to these other video services.